AN ANTIQUE DIAMOND AND ENAMEL NECKLACE

AN ANTIQUE DIAMOND AND ENAMEL NECKLACE
Suspending a heart-shaped locket, the front decorated with old-cut diamonds in a star motif on a blue enamel ground, the reverse of foliate-tooled gold, opening to reveal a glazed compartment, joined by an old-cut diamond and foliate-tooled gold surmount to the snake-link neckchain with blue enamel and old-cut diamond terminals, circa 1865, 16 3/4 ins., mounted in gold

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM A NEW YORK PRIVATE COLLECTION
Post Lot Text
This necklace is a lovely example of a mid-19th century jewel. During this time, eccentricity in fashion soared to new heights, and the jewelry trade flourished in both France and England. During the 1860s, there was a heightened interest in the stylistic influences of Greek and Etruscan antiquity. This particular necklace displays many design elements that were typical of necklaces of its day: the 'Brazilian' or flexible tubular linking neckchain, the domed medallion with richly colored blue enamel decoration, and the diamond-set star motif. Many examples of this type of necklace were broken apart and adapted to suit changing fashions, making this particular jewel a remarkable and rare survivor.